Reversible pump and motor system for extensible antennas



July 20, 1954 F V, GOsLlNE 2,683,967

REVERSIBLE PUMP AND MOTOR SYSTEM FOR EXTENSIBLE ANTENNAS Filed 001". 25, 1950 rTa/ZMEVS.

Patented July 20, 1954 REVERSIBLE PUMP AND MOTIOR SYSTEM FOR EXTENSIBLE ANTENNAS Frederick V. Gosline, Detroit, Mich., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Pioneer Specialty Company, a corporation of Michigan Application October 25, 1950, Serial No. 192,114

(Cl. Sil- 52) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to extensible and retractable aerials and actuating mechanisms therefor, and particularly to radio antennas adapted for installation in vehicles and the like where it desired to extend and retract the antenna sections by power means from a point remote from the antenna mounting.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an actuating mechanism for an extensible antenna as described which is positive in its operation and which is extremely iiexihle in design so as to be adaptable for various space conditions.

It is another object to provide such an actuating mechanism which utilizes a positive displacement fluid pressure system for actuating the antenna, and in which this fluid pressure system is sealed off from the operative portions oi the antenna, thereby allowing the use of any of the conventional types oi telescopic pole antennas.

It is also an object to provide an actuating mechanism for an antenna which utilizes, in combination with a positive displacement fluid pressure system as described, an elongated nexible dielectric member which is connected to the antenna and actuatable in an extending or retracting direction by iiuid pressure, whereby the iiuid pressure system may be located remotely from the antenna proper.

@ther objects, features, and advantages of the resent invention will become apparent from the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure l is an elevational View, partly in crosssection showing an antenna together with the novel actuating means of this invention; and

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and showing the details of the pump and housing construction.

rihe antenna proper Il in the illustrated embodiment may be any one of several types of conventional telescopic antennas well known in the art and may be mounted, for example, on a fender, cowl, or other body panel l2 of an automotive vehicle or the like. The antenna comprises a plurality of telescopic sections i3, I4 and the outer section i5 being secured indirectly to the body panel, and with means (not shown) interconnecting the sections for extending and retracting movement. This securing means need not be described in detail but may comprise an insulating block i6 to which the lower end of section l5 is secured and in which the lead-in ccnnectien (not shown) may be mounted. This insulating block is held within a cylindrical shell 5i which extends through an opening (not designated) in the body panel, a dome nut I8 and a neck piece la securing shell Vi to the panel.

The novel actuating means comprises an elongated rod 2| which is secured at one end to the antenna and which is acted upon by a positive displacement fluid pressure system to move the antenna in either an extending or retracting di rection. Rod 2l is preferably constructed of a iiexible dielectric material such an nylon, although it will be understood that the principles of this invention contemplate the use of other types of rigid or non-rigid actuating rods. The upper end of rod 2| is secured at 22 to the lower end of inner telescopic sections I3 of the antenna. A casing generally designated at 23 has an upper cylindrical section 24 secured within the lower end of shell l1 and extends downwardly therefrom. The intermediate section 25 of casing 23 tapers downwardly and inwardly to a lower cylindrical section 25. A connecting piece generally designated at 2T has an upper section 2t secured within section 26 and extends down-- wardly therefrom. The dielectric rod extends through casing 23 and through passageway 2t in connecting piece 2l. A series of o-rings 3i are mounted within the upper section 28 oi the connecting piece and are in operative engagement with rod 2l for purposes hereinafter de scribed. The lower end 32 of connecting piece 2l is threaded, and a tubular housing 33 is ccnnected at one end to section 32 by a union til. The dielectric rod 2l extends a substantial dif'- tance into housing 33`when the antenna is in its retracted position. At the opposite end 35 of the dielectric rod is secured a piston 36, the piston being so constructed as to have a snug nt within the tubular housing. It will be understood that although in the illustrated embodiment the tu'- bular housing 33 is substantially U-shaped, the housing may be arranged in other shapes so as to suit the particular space requirements of the job while still utilizing the principles of this invention.

Means are provided for applying uid pressure to either side of piston 36, thereby actuating the dielectric rod in either direction. In the illustratej embodiment, this means contemplates the use as a uid conducting medium of connecting piece 21 as well as tubular housing 33. However, it will be understood that other arrangements for actuating rod 2i in either direction by fluid pressure would still be within the principles of this invention. A reversible fluid pressure system generally designated at 3l is provided, one end of this system being connected to an intermediate portion 38 of the connecting piece Zi which leads to one end of tubular housing The other side of this fiuid pressure system is connected to the opposite end 39 of the tubular housing. The iiuid pressure system comprises in general a power source 4l such as a reversible electric motor, a pump designated at 152 which is driven by the motor, and a two-chambered accumulator designated at 43 which supplies the fluid for the pump 42 and the remainder ci the system. As best shown in Fig. 2, the pump 42 is contained within a housing Mi and may comprise a pair of gears and 46 which positively displace the fluid to either side of the housing, the gear 46 being connected by reduction gearing (il to the reversible motor lil. However, it will be understood that other types of pumps may also be used with equal effectiveness. A mounting plate 48 is disposed in supporting relation between the motor 4l and pump housing 54. Accumulator 113 is mounted above the pump housing and is surmounted by a cap (i9, and bolts 5l hold the cap, accumulator, pump housing and mounting plate in rigid relation. Accumulator 63 comprises two chambers 52 and 53 separated by a wall 59, the cap 49 cooperating with the wall to seal the chambers from each other. Chamber 52 is connected by an aperture 55 to one side 5S of the pump housing 44 and chamber 53 is likewise connected by an aperture 5l to the opposite side 53 of the pump housing. rIhe side of chamber 52 is connected to section 38 oi the connecting piece 3i by a length of tubing 59, and chamber 53 is connected by means of a nipple and union to the end 39 of tubular housing 33. It will be understood that while for illustrative purposes a short length of tubing 59 is shown, this tubing may be of any length, and the fluid pressure system 31 may thus be at any desirable point remote from the antenna proper.

In operation, the iluid pressure system, including both chambers of the accumulator and tubular housing 33, is filled with hydraulic fluid Si, leaving air spaces 52 and 63 in chambers and 5S respectively. Assuming an initial position as shown in Fig. l in which the antenna is retracted and the dielectric rod 2i extends within housing 33, the reversible motor 4i is actuated in a direction so that pump 92 drives the iluid from side 55 to side 58 of the pump housing. This will cause an increase in iiuid pressure within chamber 53 and the fluid will pass from this chamber into end S9 of housing 33, thereby forcing piston 3G downwardly and driving dielectric rod 35 into its extended position. The diameter of housing 33 and the surface properties of the rod and housing are preferably such that the dielectric rod will be guided therein without danger of binding at the bends of the housing.

Simultaneously with this action, fluid will be withdrawn from chamber 52 and therefore from the opposite end of housing 33, allowing the movement of the piston to take place. As rod 2l is forced upwardly, it will be guided by O- rings 3l, and these O-rings will serve to effectively seal the hydraulic fluid within the system and to prevent leakage into the casing 23. Upward movement of the rod will, of course, extend antenna section I3 and the other antenna sections in turn. It will be noted that since it will take a predetermined time to fully extend the antenna, the motor il may be shut orf at any point during the operation, thus instantaneously stopping the antenna movement. The length of rod 2l is preferably such that when the antenna has reached its fully extended position the piston 36 will still be within housing 33. Friction and the effect of the trapped fluid are suiiicient to eiiectively hold the aerial in any intermediate position. When it is desired to retract the antenna, the motor and pump are operated in the reverse direction, pumping fluid from chamber 53 to chamber 52. The fluid will thus be conducted to the opposite side of piston St,

4 drawing the rod 2| and the antenna sections into retracted position.

Vfhile it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are well calculated to full the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modication, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In an antenna actuating means, a hydraulic system including a tubular passage arranged in open looped form, a piston disposed within said passage, liquid within said passage on both sides of said piston, a liquid accumulator disposed between the ends of said looped passage and connected in uid communicating relationship to one end of said passage, the liquid partially filling said accumulator so as to leave an air space thereabove, a pump disposed between said looped ends and having two ports, one of said ports being connected in huid communicating relationship with said accumulator and the other of said ports being connected in Iiuid communicating relationship with the other end oi said passage, said pump having a reversible output whereby fluid may be pumped through said looped passage in either direction to drive the piston in either direction, an actuating element mechanically connected to said piston, and a fluid tight guide in said passage, said actuating element extending out of said passage through said fluid tight guide to actuate an antenna.

2. In an antenna actuating means, a hydraulic system including a tubular passage arranged in open looped form, a piston disposed within said passage, liquid 'within said passage on both sides of said piston, a liquid accumulator disposed between the ends of said looped passage, said accumulator comprising two chambers, one chamber being connected in fluid communicating relationship with that side of the looped passageway which is on one side of the piston, the other chamber being connected in fluid communicating relationship to that part of the looped passageway on the other side of the piston, the liquid partially iilling said accumulator so as to leave an air space thereabove, a pump having a reversible output disposed between said looped ends, one side of said pump being connected in fluid communicating relationship with one oi said chambers, the other side of said pump being connected in iluid communicating relationship with the other of said chambers, said pump being actuable so as to increase the pressure in one of said chambers while decreasing the pressure in the other of said chambers whereby iiuid may be pumped through said looped passage in either direction to drive the piston in either direction, an actuating element mechanically connected to said piston, and a iluid tight guide in said passage, said actuating element extending out of said passage through said fluid tight guide to actuate an antenna.

References Cited in the ille of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 894,251 Batdorf July 428, 1908 958,212 Baab May 17, 1910 2,232,693 Dow Feb. 25, 1941 2,239,613 Martin Apr. 22, 1941 2,319,860 Hann May 25, 1943 2,343,944 Wagenknecht Mar. 14, 1944 

